The ethics of signs and dreams, “Enough with maso-narcissism”: the experience of the cooperatives of Locride

ROME – Against all commonplaces, there is a consortium of cooperatives in Locride that has been practicing good economics, fair wages and social entrepreneurship for twenty years. Together they make 50 entities, which sign an anti-mafia manifesto, engaged in courageous undertakings, and in other amusing ones, because the enemy is social depression, the one that the ‘Ndrangheta likes. Vincenzo Linarello, president of Goelhas now written a book “Handbook of Effective Ethics”, which offers administrators, operators of the Third sector, teachers, politicians and communicators. An open form to recount a successful experience, which he also explains in this way: “We haven’t been subjected to an attack or intimidation for the past six years”.

In front of the sea of ​​Punta Stilo. And maybe to understand Goel you have to go to one of the associated companies, A’ Lanterna, In front of the sea of ​​Punta Stilo, with a bright view of the stones and mosaics of the port of ancient Kaulon, there is this farm with watercolor hills, olive trees and vineyards, donkeys, rooms to sleep and a restaurant that collects all the zero-kilometer products of the area. But at the entrance, a burnt and rusty tractor is on display.

“That’s what we learned,” says Linarello. “Don’t stop in front of the first violence, that’s what the mafia wants. A depressed population resigns itself, says that nothing will ever change, a very frequent phrase in these parts. And instead we must give effective signs, actions that address concrete problems and solve them”. Example: how to respond to an attack? “We responded by having the Restart celebrations, where all the associates come in support of the affected person. We went on TV to tell and denounce, inviting citizens to respond cheerfully to those who want to cage the territory”.

The ethics of purity. In addition to signs, Linarello also recounts dreams and “textbook” experiences in the book. Even if the title suggests that there is also an ineffective ethics. “I call it a maso-narcissist. The ethics of purity, of intransigence, the exaltation of suffering. The presumption of bringing the Word to the territories, of feeling like gurus, of branding the common citizen as insensitive and blind. indifferent or terrified”. This is also commonplace.

The phrase you can’t stand. There is a sentence that the author cannot stand: “When I hear people say: we are sowing, our children will reap the fruits. In short, a competition for holiness. But no! Ethics is effective when it solves problems, starting from a simple observation: those who are sick, those in need, are in a hurry”. Three voices to explain the approach to a problem to be solved: “Non-prejudiced listening, prejudicial faith, creative madness. What didn’t work, won’t work. But demonizing failures means depriving yourself of a learning tool. We can’t throw away mistakes.”

Goel’s work. Linarello’s manual comes to life with the story of experiences. That Eco-Hostel in Locri, in a confiscated building, where the Cuban doctors lived who are plugging the troubles of Calabrian health care. Now they have left the rooms to schools arriving from the North. But the Eco-Hostel is also a place of thought where Bosnian magistrates come to talk about anti-corruption. And on the other side, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, Goel has become the judicial administrator of the lands of the Chindamo family, in the name of Maria who had said no to the sale, who disappeared in 2016.

Here are the effective signs and dreams. “Goel does politics, the Third Sector is a political entity” says Linarello. “Politics is not only in the hands of the parties”. Sure, but they go to the city council, and you don’t see much professionalism, many go into politics only out of interest and as a stopgap. “And they only think about winning: instead we propose a convincing model. A synthesis of participatory democracy around macro-themes, macro-needs: work, good health care, migration, management of common goods”. It is the famous principle of subsidiarity, article 118 of the Constitution, which brings associations and citizens closer to the State. Always hoping that the State doesn’t turn them away.